Personal Statement Instructions CSUEB MSW Program Application The Personal Statement is an opportunity for applicants to demonstrate strong writing and critical thinking skills. It also allows applicants to describe their interest in social work and their unique experiences and attributes that make them a good fit for the CSUEB MSW program. It is very important that applicants answer all the questions and:
1. write clearly and concisely, 2. proofread the writing, 3. do not exceed the three (3) page limit, and 4. use American Psychological Association (APA) format of typed, single-sided, double-spaced, 12 point font, with 1 inch margins. Be sure to use a clearly readable font such as Arial, Veranda, Times New Roman, or Calibri. NOTE: Applicants do not need to restate the questions, because this will take up more room. Instead, please number each section (1,2,3).
The mission statement of the CSUEB MSW program reads: The mission of the Master of Social Work program is to graduate culturally responsive urban social workers in the areas of Children, Youth, and Families and Community Mental Health. Social work graduates are well prepared to address individual, family, group, and community needs caused by inequalities of class and identity, including race, ethnicity, gender, age, disability, sexual orientation, immigration status, religion, caste and other forms of social injustice. Advocacy and social change to address these injustices form the core of the MSW program. With this mission in mind, please address the three topics below. For any of the topics, applicants may include personal or work/volunteer experiences that help give a richer answer.
1. Demonstrating your understanding of social work, please discuss your reasons for wanting an MSW, your expectations for being a professional social worker, and any particular populations or social issues of interest. 2. Discuss at least two (2) social justice issues (isms) you have experienced because of your involvement with and/or membership in a culture with which you identify. Social justice issues often relate to those items listed in our mission statement above, as well as many other experiences that can result in oppression such as health/mental health status, immigration, addiction, poverty/social class, educational access, criminal justice/incarceration, human trafficking, and violence. 3. Finally, make your elevator pitch: what makes you uniquely qualified to be accepted into the CSUEB MSW program?
